Business · Economy · 1 hr ago
Traffic costs Mexico’s 44 metro areas 111 hours per person each year
A study by Mexico’s IMCO and Dat’s Why estimates that people in 44 metro areas lose 111 hours a year to traffic.
The figure measures extra travel time caused by congestion, compared with journeys in free-flowing conditions.
The lost time is valued at 203.3 billion pesos a year, or an average of 5,645 pesos per person.
Public transport users account for more of the estimated cost than private vehicle users, and they lose more time to delays.
Mexico City accounts for about 40% of the total cost and averages 211 hours lost per person each year, nearly twice the overall average.
The estimate covers the value of time lost, not added fuel use, pollution, crashes or health effects.
The study covers 44 metropolitan areas, but gives no further next steps.
Traffic congestion costs people in Mexico’s 44 metropolitan areas an average of 111 hours per person each year.
The annual economic cost of that lost time is estimated at 203.316 billion pesos.
The study estimates an average annual cost of 5,645 pesos per person.
Public transport users lose more time and incur higher estimated costs than private vehicle users.
Mexico City accounts for about 40% of the total cost across the metropolitan areas studied.
- Who
- Residents of 44 metropolitan areas in Mexico.
- What
- Traffic congestion costs an average of 111 hours per person each year and 203.316 billion pesos in lost time annually.
- When
- The study was announced on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- 44 metropolitan areas in Mexico.
- Why
- Congestion adds time to journeys compared with travel in uncongested conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
IMCO and Dat’s Why announced the Cost of Traffic 2026 study.
El Economista MX published an explainer about the study.
- Metropolitan areas studied
- 44
- Average annual time lost
- 111 hours per person
- Estimated annual economic cost
- 203.316 billion pesos
- Average cost per person
- 5,645 pesos per year
- Mexico City time lost
- 211 hours per person annually
- Public transport users’ annual cost
- 7,294 pesos on average